Normal skin demonstrates the ideal balance of moisture and cell turnover in the topmost protective layers of skin. In normal, healthy skin, pores are barely visible; skin is moist, clear and glowing.
Our skin acts as a two-way barrier protecting the internal body from damaging external elements and preventing the excessive outward passage of moisture, which is needed to keep skin healthy. Crucial to this barrier function is a hydrolipid film composed of moisture and natural oils (including fatty acids and lipids) that protects and covers the skin’s surface. In normal skin, this hydrolipid film is doing its job to keep the right moisture in and damaging bacteria out.
This hydrolipid film is fragile and must maintain a pH between 4.5 and 5.5 to function optimally. So even normal, healthy skin needs the proper daily skincare to maintain the right balance of moisture and lipids. Environmental factors can cause imbalances in the skin’s pH, increasing the risk of breakouts and dry skin. Prolonged exposure to UV rays is one of the most damaging environmental factors, and can lead to wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, brown spots, dryness, and serious diseases like skin cancer.
Care and Treatment
The first step to maintaining healthy skin is keeping your skin clean. Use the right cleanser that removes dirt without stripping those protective lipids, and always use warm water, not hot. Hot water and abrasive soaps can remove protective lipids and can damage your skin over time.
Moisturizing lotions, creams and gels are important because they help bind water to the skin and prevent moisture loss. For normal skin, it’s important to find gentle products that support the skin’s protective properties. Even the healthiest skin can become irritated and imbalanced with products that contain harsh ingredients or fragrances.
Sunscreen is also recommended to protect skin from the damage caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
The information provided herein is not intended to be medical advice. Nor is it intended to treat the underlying skin disease or condition. The information is provided solely to:
1. Moisturize, soften and smooth dry skin
2. Improve the appearance of the skin
3. Achieve healthier-looking skin
